Compressed-air shuttle-operating mechanism for looms.



H. H. KELLEY. COMPRESSED AER suums OPERATING MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

APPLICATION FILEDMAR. 31- 1916- l ggg m r I Patented Apr. 10,1917.

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H. 'H.- KELLEY. COMPRESSED AIR SHUTTLE OPERATING MECHANISM FOR' LOOMS.

,APPLICATION FILED MAR. 31. 1916.

Patented Apr. 10, 191?.

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mm a an l w RN r Jill lMHg/f $2M} g H. H. KELLEY. COMPRESSED AIR SHUTTLE OPERATING MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 31;!916.

Patented Apr. 10, 1917.

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" mmm H. H-FLKQHQJI a1 AAA/ Mme/l HARRY H. KELLEY, F ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

COMPRESSED-AIR SHUTTLE-OPERATING MECHANISM FOR, LOOMS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

To all whom/it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY H. KELLEY, a

citizen of the United States, residin at Atlanta, in the county of Fulton and. tate of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Compressed-Air Shuttle Operating Mechanism for Looms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in shuttle operating mechanism for looms.

The primary object of the invention is to provide means, operated by compressed air, for quickly throwing a shuttle to reduce vibrati'on and noise, and to effectually provide for increased speed and rapidityof motion of the loom parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide means common to both shuttle throwing means, locatedat opposite ends of the lay of the loom, whereby said means is caused to be reciprocated, and upon each movement of the reciprocation, set one shuttle throwing means and release the other, whereby to provide for throwing the shuttle in one direction and to prepare the parts for a subsequent throwing operation.

The invention also relates to improve- ..ments in the particular means employed for cushioning the shuttle throwing means to prevent jar and vibration, and also to the particular means employed for locking the shuttle throwing means and releasing the same.

Figure l is an elevation of a loom frame,

in dotted lines, illustrating the application of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail elevation of one of the shuttle throwing devices.

Fig. 4 is a section of the same.

Fig. 5 is a view illustrating the position of the parts when the left hand shuttle throw- Patented Apr. to, new.

Application filed March 31, 1916. Serial No. 88,102.

ing means is locked, and the right hand shuttle throwlng means released.

Fig. 6 is asimilar View showing the reciprocating rod to the right, and the trips in the actoffinally locking the right hand shuttle throwing means in set posit1on and about to release the lock on the left hand shuttle throwing means.

Fr 7 is a similar view, the trips being operated to lock the right hand shuttle throwing means, and release the left hand jlock to permit the compressed air to operatefthe left hand shuttle throwing means.

Fig. 8 is a detail cross section of the end support for one of the hollow pistons of the shuttle throwing means.

1 indicates a loom frame; 2, the lay pivoted thereto; 3, a power shaft provided with a gear Wheel 4, which meshes with a pinion 5, mounted on a crank shaft 6.

The layis pivoted to the frame at 7, and is connected to the cranks of the crank shaft by a pair of connecting rods 8 to oscillate the lay in the usual manner. I At the opposite ends of the lay are slots 9, and directly beneath the slots are supported the shuttle throwing devices a and b, and as both are identical in construction, but one will be described.

Secured to the end of, and depending below the lay 2, is a hollow bracket 10, provided at its upper end with a lateral inlet opening 11 communicating with a source of supply of compressed air by a pipe 11. Extending from the bottom of the bracket is a pipe 12, tlie free end ofiwhich is extended upwardly as at 13, and is provided with a tap 14. Oil is introduced in the pipe, and because of the turned-up end thereof, the level of the oil in'the hollow bracket can be determined.

Fitted tightly in an opening 15, in the inner face of the hollow bracket, and extending inwardly toward the center of the lay, is a hollow piston 16, formed with a head 17, having packing glands 18 Sliding-over the head 17, is a cylinder 19, closed at its inner end by a head 20, and at. its rear end it is provided with a hollow head 21, in which fits a packing gland 22, to form a tight joint between the head andthe piston, the cylinder 19 forming a shuttle driving element. 'Oil is introduced into the hollow head, and as the parts are reciprocated the oil finds itsv way through an opening 23, to a suitable I l I packing to lubricate the piston. Oil also flows through the hollow piston to the inner end of the cylinder tolubricat-e the parts, the packing 18 preventing the oil flowing pas the head 17.

Extending upwardly from the hollow head is an arm 24, projecting through the slot 9, in the lay, and provided at its upper end with a head 25, to engage the shuttle 26. In the cylinder, and near the hollow head, are perforations 28, for the admission of air in a space 28, between the hollow head and the head of cushion. as the cylinder is reciprocated on the piston, as will appear later on. The extent of the cushion is determined by the adjusting screw 29, which controls an opening 30, in the hollow head, the opening communicating with the space formed between the piston and the cylinder.

Adjacent each cylinder and spaced therefrom, and secured to the under side of the lay, is a hollow bracket 30", formed with an extended bearing 31, and in which 18 mounted a reciprocating rod 32. The hollow bracket receives oil which, in the operation of the parts, is caused to percolate through an opening 33, to the rod, to lubricate the parts, as will be understood.

Extending laterally from the hollow bracket are cars 30", and corresponding ears extend from the cylinder 19. Pivoted between these cars are toggle levers 34 and 35, centrally pivoted together, as at 36, the

lever 35 having a right angular extension or trip 37. Attached to the reciprocating rod adjacent each hollow bearing 1s an arm 39, and extending from the free end thereof is a rod 40, provided with two spacedtrips 41 and 42, which cooperate with the trip 37, on the end of the lever 35.

Extending from the inside of the loom frame is a bracket 45, and pivoted thereto is a bell crank lever 46, to one arm of which is connected a universal joint 47, and a pitman 48, the outer end of which encircles the eccentric 49 on the shaft 3. The. long arm 50 of the bell crank lever is connected by a radius arm 51, to a stud 52, of a collar 53, adjustably mounted on the reciprocating rod 32.

In operation, the crank shaft 6 oscillates the lay in the usual manner, and the eccentric 49, through the connections described, reciprocates the rod 32. 47 prevents binding of different centers on which the connected parts move. Becauseof the oscillation of the lay and the fact that the rod 32 reciprocates at right angles to the movement of the lay, it is important that little or no lost motion be imparted to the rod, due to the right angular movement of the two elements, hence the collar 53 is disposed as far from the pivot of the bell crank lever as the piston, this air forming a The universal joint the parts, due to the.

possible. By the employment of this long rigid radius rod, as the lay oscillates, little or no unnecessary movement is imparted to the reciprocating rod, due to the path of travel of the pivot 52, and the radius rod which swings from the pivot on the long arm of the bell crank lever.

Assume the {parts are in the position shown in Fig. 5, that is, the reciprocating rod is moved to the left, and has moved the left hand shuttle drivin element and locked same in set position, an the shuttle driving element on the right of the lay has released, and the compressed air has thrown the shuttle to the left of the lay and against the head 25 of the arm 24. In this position of. the parts the toggle levers operating with the shuttle driving element on the left of the lay are straightened out in locked position. One of the trips 42, on the rod 40, in the movement of the rod to the left, engages the trip 37, on the lever 35, and sets the left hand toggle levers in locked position. Simultaneously with this move ment, the trip 41, on the companion rod 40, engages the trip 37, on the lever 35, of the toggle on the right hand shuttle driving element, with theresult that the lock is broken and compressed air in the ri ht hand hollowi piston, acting on the ri t hand cylinder, forces the same towar the left hand throws the shuttle across the lay.

Upon the subsequent movement of. the reciprocating rod toward the right hand end of the lay, the rod acting on the right hand shuttle driving element moves same to the right as shown in Fig. 6, and just prior to the extreme limit of said movement, as shown in said fi ure, the trip 41, on the left hand rod 40, engages the trip 37, on

the toggle 35, of the left hand shuttle'driving element, and breaks the lock, and the air in the left hand hollow'bracket, acting on the left hand driving element, throws the same inwardly toward the right, and through the connection described, acts on the shuttle to throw it to the right hand end of the lay. Simultaneously with this movement the trip 42, on the right hand rod 40, engages the trip 37, on the right hand toggle and locks same in position, and holds the right hand toggle and locks same in position, and holds the-right hand driving element against movement until the next subsequent releasing operation.

Fig. 7 illustrates the parts in the position.

been

' head of the piston and the head of the cylinder. In the movement of the cylinder, air passes through the openings 28, into the space 28*, formed between the cylinderand the piston, and just before the cylinder reaches the limit of its throw under the influence of the compressed air, the openings 28 are closed by the head of the piston, with the result that a cushion of air is produced, which acts as a means in checking the throw of the cylinder, and also acts as a means to prevent undue vibration of the parts. In the throw of the cylinderzin the opposite, or set position, by the reciprocating rod, the air contained in the hollow piston and cylinder acts as a cushion,

and, as will be understood, prevents undue f vibration of the parts.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that there is a continuous supply of compressed air to the cylinders, and that this continuous supply acts to throw the cylinders in one direction to effect the throw of the shuttle, and that said cylinders are set by the movement of the reciprocating rod 32, actuated by mechanical means, and that the same supply of compressed air is utilized as a cushion in this movement of the parts. It will'also be seen that in the operation of the cylinders to throw the shuttle, the parts are effectually cushioned by the air trapped between the pistons and the cylinders, and that this cushioning efi'ect can be regulated by manipulation of the screw 29. Furthermore, by reason of the hollow bearing and hollow bracket to support the piston, a continuous lubricating system is provided to relieve friction on the parts, which assists in the rapid movement of said parts, in the operation of throwing the shuttle.

What I claim is 1. In a loom, the combination with a lay, a shuttle operating device at each end of the lay, each device comprising a hollow bracket connected to a source of compressed air, a hollow fixed piston extending inwardly from the hollow bracket, a cylinder mounted to reciprocate over the piston, an arm extending from the cylinder to throw the shuttle 'on the lay, locking levers holding the cylinder in set position, a rod between the two cylinders to engage and move the latter to set position, means for reciprocating the rod, and means carried by the rod to simultaneously releasethe locking levers to release the cylinder for the compressed air to act thereon and throw the shuttle and to engage the other locking levers to set same in locked position to hold the cylinder in set position.

2. In a loom, the combination with a lay, a'shuttle operating device at each end of the lay, each device comprising a hollow bracket connected to a source of compressed air, a hollow fixed piston, extending inwardly from the hollow bracket and formed on one end with a head, a cylinder having a packing head at its outer end, said cylinder and packing head mounted on the hollow piston, the packing head having a vent opening communicating with a space formed between the hollow piston and the cylinder, sald cylinder having openings located near the outer end and communicating with the space, levers to lock the cylinder in set position, means between the two cylinders to alternately engage and move same to set position, and devices carried by said means to s multaneously act on the levers cooperatmg with-one cylinder to release same and cause the-compressed air to act on said cylinder and throw the shuttle, and to act on the levers of the other cylinder to move sameto locked position to hold the cylinder in set position.

3. In a loom, the combination of a lay, a compressed air shuttle throwing device at each end of the lay, means for locking each shuttle throwing device in set position, a constantly reciprocating element interposed between the two shuttle throwing devices to positively engage one of same in each movement of its reciprocation, and means carried by said reciprocating element to simultaneously release one locking means to release one shuttle throwing device and to engage and lock the other locking means to hold the companion shuttle throwing device in set position.

4. In a loom, the combination of a lay, a fixed hollow piston at each end of the lay, means for supplying each hollow piston with compressed air, a cylinder slidably mounted over the piston, a bearing on the lay adjacent the inner end of each cylinder, a rod mounted in thebearings, locking toggle levers between each respective cylinder and adjacent bearing to lock the cylinder in set position,

means for reciprocating the rod, andtrips carried by the rod, said trips upon each movement of the reciprocation of the rod simultaneously engaging the toggle levers, holding one cylinder to release same to throw the shuttle and engaging the other locking toggle levers to lock the companion cylinder in set position. Y

5. In a loom, the combination of a lay, a fixed hollow piston at each end of the lay, means for supplying each hollow piston with compressed air, a cylinder slidably mounted over the piston, a bearing on the lay adjacent the inner end of each cylinder, a rod mounted in the bearings, locking toggle levers between each respective cylinder and adjacent bearing to lock the cylinder in set position, a bell crank lever on one side of the loom, a radius rod pivoted to the bell crank ice lltl

holding one cylinder to release same to throw the shuttle and engaging the other locking toggle levers to lock the companion,

cylinder in set position.

6. In a loom, the combinatlon with a lay,

shuttle throwing means mounted at each,

end of the lay, each said means comprising a hollow bracket connected to a source of compressed air, a hollow piston communication therewith, a cylinder slidably mounted on each hollow piston, a hollow head at "the outer end of each piston, said hollow head having a packing gland and an orifice forming communication with the hollow portion of said head, an arm extending from the cylinder and through a slot formed in the lay, hearings on the .lay, a rod slidably mounted in the bearings between the two cylinders, means for reciprocating the rod, interlocking toggle levers between each cylinder and the adjacent bearing, and trips carried by the rod, wfhereby to simulta neously operate the toggle levers adjacent one cylinder to release same, and to act on the other toggle levers adjacent the companion cylinder to set same for a subsequent operation.

7. In a loom, the combination of a lay, a compressed air shuttle throwing device at each end of the lay, each shuttle throwing device including a shuttle driving element subject at all times to a constant'pressure, means for locking each shuttle driving element in set position, means interposed 'between the two shuttle driving elements to alternately move same to set position, and

means operated by the interposed means to simultaneously release one locking means to release one shuttle driving element to throw a shuttle and to engage and lock the other locking means to hold the companion shuttle driving element in set position.

8. In a loom, the combination of a lay, a shuttle throwing device actuated by fluid pressure at each end of the lay, each-= shuttle throwing device includingtwo members, one fitting within the other and being normally forced away from each other by constant interior fluid ressure, one of said members actin as a s uttle driving element, means for 100 ing each shuttle driving element in set position, means interposed between the two shut-tle driving elements to alternately move same against the constant fluid pressure to set position, and means operated by the interposed means to simultaneously release one locking means to release one shuttle driving element to cause the constant fluid pressure to throw a shuttle and to engage and lock the other locking means and actuate same to hold the companion shuttle driving element in set position.

9. In a loom, the combination of a lay, a shuttle throwinv device at each end of the lay, said shuttle throwing devices including a casing and a shuttle driving element with constant fluid pressure therebetween, said shuttle throwing elements .being in alinement, a locking device for each shuttle driv neouslyfiset one locln'ng device and release the other locking device, and means for actuating the setting means.

10. In shuttle throwing means the combination of a hollow piston connected to a source of fluid pressure, a shuttle driving element operable over the hollow piston and provided at its outer end with a head and at its inner end with a stufling box fitting snugly the piston, means between the hollow pistonand the shuttle driving element for cushioning the latter, means for holding the shuttle driving elementin set position, and reciprocating means engaging the shuttle driving element to force same to set position in one movement of its reciprocation, and release the holding means and permit the compressed air to actuate the shuttle driving element in the other movement of its reciprocation.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HARRY H. KELLEY. Witnesses:

O. A. SHARPLESS,

W. E. Cooennn. 

